Multiple compartment refrigerator



2 Shets-Sheec l Filed June l' 1944 R W www n Mm M. mw. M m W m W ,o u f. C y .n a e w a 8 D 7 n I. ...f o ...lll RCX .i l

W N T T A May 16, 1950 R. M. sT'oRl-:R ETAL.

IULTIFLE COMPARTMENT REFRIGERATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1, 1944 1 wie?- y 5 RICIMRD M STORER AND WILLMMAMFGREW INVENTORS BY d d ma ATATQRNEY Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT REFRIGERATOR Richard M. Storer and William A. McGrew, Denver, Colo.

Application June 1, 1944, Serial No. 538,214 1s claim. (c1. ca -99) This invention relates to the art of refrigerating foods and more particularly relates to means and methods of refrigerating foods in containers such as mechanical-type household refrigerators.

Household refrigerators heretofore in use have been primarily cooling units having only small compartments utilized for food freezing or frozen food storage purposes. such as the storage of frozen desserts, meats, fruits, etc. Where freezing conditions have been desired for large scale household usage, a separate refrigerator unit has been utilized to provide the necessary capacity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide simple, durable and eillcient apparatus combining in a single unit of suitable household size and shape, adequate storage capacity for both conventional food cooling and frozen food requirements.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a single refrigerating cabinet separate cooling and freezing compartments so arranged that a single control will provide the necessary heat transfer action in each said compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a single refrigerating cabinet separate food cooling and freezing compartments that may be adjusted to vary the volumetric capacity of each to suit the requirements of any given period of operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical-type refrigerator having a unitary motor-compressor-condenser assembly located in a central flue from which it is removable as a unit for service, repair or replacement.

Other objects resideA in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be described in detail in the course of the following description.

The accompanying drawings illustrate typical embodiments of the invention and in the drawings in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly.

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a refrigerator cabinet embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2--2,

Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the latching arrangement utilized in the shelf movement of the mechanism shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the latching arrangement shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical central section through a 2 modified form of refrigerator cabinet embodying features of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 6 0, Fig. 5.

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the cabinet C comprises inner and outer upright shells 1 and 8 respectively, suitably spaced with a heat-insulating filler I disposed between said shells. The inner shell 1 has a cover plate I0 fitted on its top in fixed relation, while a removable cover member i2 is held on the outer shell 8 by a friction ilt as shown at I3 in Fig. 1 and is spaced to receive insulating filler 9.

The shell 1 at its lower extremity is formed into a lower disk or plate portion i4 which is spaced from an outer disk or plate portion II with the space between them filled by additional insulating filler 9. Preferably, an annular base member i6 is attached to the cabinet C and supports same in spaced relation to the floor or other support on which the unit rests. At the rear side of the cabinet, the base I6 is providedl with an access opening l1 (Fig. 1), the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

A flue F extends through cabinet C from top to bottom, terminating at the bottom in a detachable air-filter member I8 and at the top in a tubular portion i9 enclosed by a perforated, conical cap 20. The flue intermediate said top and bottom portions is defined by inner and outer tubes 2l and 22 respectively, suitably spaced to receive additional insulating filler 9 therebetween.

The space within cabinet C between ilue F and inner wall or shell member 1 is divided into a cooling compartment R and a freezing compartment Y by two vertically-extending, heat-insulating walls 23. which carry at their outer ends rubber or other compressible strips 24. The walls 23 together with a plurality of upright supports 25, and a series of. horizontally-disposed foraminous shelves 26 comprise a unitary structure mounted for rotary movement within cabinet C about an axis concentric with the axis of iiue F,

through the provision of an annular track or guideway 21 in which rollers 28 held on supports 25 are tted. Preferably the shelves 26 are formed of detachable segmental sections 26x which may be removed from the unit when addihnit comprises a rotary fan or air-pumping member 28 mounted on one end of the shaft of a motor 3B, of any suitable type, supporting a compressor unit 3|, of any suitable type, also driven directly from the motor shaft (not shown), and in turn supporting a tubular condenser unit 32.

The inner shell or wall member 1 of cabinet C preferably comprises a double-wall unit 35, 23, in which passageways 31 are formed at intervals, and the intervals are varied to provide a substantially greater number of such passages within the freezing compartment Y than is provided in the normal cooling or refrigerating compartment R, as will be best understood by referring to Fig. 1.

'Ihese conduits or passages 31 are connected in series with a return line 38 leading to compressor 3| and suitably controlled by a valve 33. The gaseous matter delivered into condenser 32 from compressor 3l passes out into a supply header 40 connected with the series of passages 31, after first passing through an expansion valve 4l. The motor 30 is connected by a conduit 42 and a plug 43 for operative attachment to the wiring system of a house or other building in which the cabinet is operated.

As previously mentioned, the number of passages 31 is substantially greater in compartment Y than in compartment R and the greater heat transfer surface thus provided together with the relatively smaller volume of compartment R enables the same circulatory system to maintain the temperatures in compartment Y substantially below the temperatures in compartment R.

For this reason a single thermostat control maintains the desired temperature in both compartments. A bulb 44 supported at the top of compartment R is connected by a flexible conduit 45 with the thermostat mechanism 46, which in turn is connected with the switch control of motor 30. By maintaining the proper cooling conditions in compartment R, as at 40 F. for example, this control also serves to maintain the required lower temperature condition in compartment Y. which will be well below 32 F.

In order to provide the necessary ice cubes or frozen desserts for household purposes, a series of open bottom shelves 41 support a plurality of ice trays 48. Preferably these shelves are constructed of good heat-conductive material to facilitate rapid freezing of liquid introduced into trays 48.

As hereinbefore described, the shelf unit is mounted for rotation about ue F, due to the interconnection of the several shelves 26 with the upright supports 25 and the insulated partition members 23, all supported in track 21 by rollers 28. To prevent any lateral play in said assembly, a series of flexible bearing members 49, preferably felt, are mounted on one or more of the lower shelf members 2S for contact with the outer surface of tube 22, while the bottom shelf 25a, preferably imperforate, is slightly spaced from plate I4 to avoid frictional engagement therewith in freeze" capacity is desired, one or both of said partitions are moved to expand the compartment, and similarly, if more cooling space is required, they are moved closer together to increase the volume of compartment R. To this end, each partition 22 may and preferably does comprise an integral unit extending vertically throughout the entire interior space of cabinet C. The partition is preferably shaped or formed to provide a transverse groove or substantially horizontal recess or depressed portion, as indicated at 55, to admit, or receive and support a shelf 28 and the surfaces of the partition along said groove preferably are heat-insulated as by rubber strips 56.

, Consequently, when the position of a given partiticn 23 is changed, the yieldable strips Si pass over the shelf surfaces readily and substantially close the shelf openings in the plane of said partition member. Therefore, there is no appreciable heat exchange between compartments R and Y resulting from the adjustability of partitions 23.

It will be observed that the fan. motor, compressor and condenser are assembled and installed as a unit within flue F, and whenever it becomes necessary to service these parts the unit may be withdrawn from ilue F by first removing tube I9 and disconnecting the refrigerant lines at and 80' (Fig. l) adjacent valves 39 and 4l after all the refrigerant has been pumped into condenser 32 by operation of compressor 3l with valve 4l closed, and maintaining valves 39 and 4l to prevent escape of the refrigerating medium from the conductive system.

Having thus described the combination and ar rangement of parts comprising the refrigerator shown in Fig. 1, its operation will now be explained. When the machine is installed for opc ration as by inserting plug 43 into a suitable wall outlet. the motor 30 will commence operation whenever demand is made by thermostat mechanism. 46. When the motor operates, fan 29 is rotated inducing an upward draft through flue F. Air drawn in by this action-ls first filtered in its passage through member I3 and then moves over exposed surfaces of compressor 3l and condenser 32 to pass finally out of flue F through a perforated cover member 20.

In the aforesaid action the traveling air stream serves as a heat exchange medium to cool motor 30 and compressor 3 l, and also functions similarly to facilitate the action of condenser 22. The refi igerating medium, which may be any suitable composition, travels from compressor 3| through header 4t for distribution along the several passages 31. The refrigerant traveling through the passages 31 is finally collected in return line 3l and drawn back by the suction influence of compressor Il for repetitions of the circulatory action.

This circulation of the refrigerant combined with the arrangement of passages 31 in the two compartments Y and R provides an appreciably greater amount of heat-exchange action in compartment Y than is provided in compartment R, and due to its lesser volume, the heat exchange ultimately produces a marked temperature differential between the two compartments. When the temperature in compartment R. is reduced to a predetermined point established by the thermostat setting, the thermostat actuates the switch controlling the operaion of motor v which thereafter remains at rest until a new operational demand is made by the thermostat mechanism.

The temperature in compartment Y thus established is maintained well below the freezing point of water, and since the enclosing surfaces of the compartment as hereinbefore described possess a high degree of heat-insulating effect, the established temperature will be maintained yin said compartment over relatively long intervals. Consequently, if the trays 48 are filled with water or similar solutions, the contents freeze rapidly due to the heat exchange provided by the difference in temperature of the air circulating in said compartment and the temperature of such fluid. When ice is required the door 50 of the cabinet is opened and a turning movement is applied to the shelf assembly to bring the pans 48 into register with the door opening. The desired number of pans are then withdrawn after which the shelf unit should be rotated to return the compartment Y to its normal position of rest.

In the aforesaid operation the partition 23 adjacent to shelves 41 will be rotated to a position in which compartment Y is open to the atmosphere. This would tend to induce escape of the cold air from compartment Y, but since the air therein is more inert than the atmosphere to which it is exposed, very little heat transfer occurs unless the compartment is so exposed for an unduly long time.

A similar action is employed in utilizing the storage of compartment R.. When objects are to be inserted or withdrawn from the shelf space remote from the door opening, vit usually will be preferable to rotate the shelves to bring such space adjacent the door opening rather than to reach over other objects on the shelf in gaining access to the given space. In all such actuations of the shelf unit, the wiping strips 24 maintain an effective air seal between compartments R and Y and consequently, while movement is imparted to the air in compartment Y by such actuation, there is substantially no air escape therefrom.

If opening the door to compartment R results in any appreciable temperature change therein, such change will be reflected on the thermostat bulb 44 and a new operating demand on the mechanism will result. The repetitions of operating cycles required by the cooling compartment R. insure an adequate amount of heat exchange action in compartment Y to maintain a substantially uniform temperature condition therein.

If the user desires a greater or a lesser amount of food freezing or frozen food storage space at any given time, one or both of the partition members 23 may be moved to selective positions between the bordering upright supports 25 and thus change the dimension of the compartment Y. This feature is of particular valie inasmuch as the user will require a greater amount -of frozen food storage space in certain seasons. but will prefer to utilize the extra space of the frozen food compartment for normal cooling purposes at other times. The partition adjustment is simple and easily effected thereby facilitating use of this feature.

Another feature which preferably, although not necessarily. is included in this design has been illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. When the shelf unit has been rotated to any given position it usually will be preferable to hold the shelves at such position so long as the user requires access to the interior of the cabinet. A latching device has been located in the upper Iportion of the cabinet interior and acts to hold the shelf unit at any selective position. When the door is closed the latching member is tripped to release the shelf attachment and through the provision of a suitable counterweight mechanism the shelf unit automatically returns to its normal position of rest.

As will be best understood by reference to Fig. 1, the counterweight 60 is suspended from a ilexible cable 6| which is reeved over a plurality of sheaves 62 and connected to an annular strip 63 held on the shelf assembly through connection with the upright supports 25. Strip 63 has at relatively short intervals about its outer peripheral surface a series a notches 64 and a latch member L is mounted on an inner wall of the cabinet C in register with the edge of the door opening to engage selective slots 64 in member 63, as will now be explained.

The latch L comprises a catch 66 rotatable upon an axis 65 and urged by a spring 61 into whatever notch 64 it is brought into register with. When it is desired to rotate the shelf unit the door is opened and the end 68 of catch 66 1s pushed to disengage the catch from its position of rest in a given notch 64. It is held in the disengaged position while the shelf unit is rotated to a desired position, whereupon it engages whatever notch it thereupon comes in register with and again holds the shelf unit against further movement. When access to the interior is no longer required, the user closes door 50 and in this action the `surface of the door in register with end 68 engages same as shown at the dotted line position 69 in Fig. 4. The pressure exerted -by this engagement on end 68 serves to maintain the catch in disengaged position permitting counterweight 60 to draw the shelf unit to its normal position of rest at which point the catch is allowed to spring into its associated notch 64. In this way the compartment Y is maintained in adequate heat-insulated relation to the door opening at all times, except when the shelf unit is intentionally moved to provide access to compartment Y through the door` opening.

The cover member 20 at the top of iiue F preferably is in the form of a cone and terminates in a knob portion 20a to facilitate its removal when it is necessary to gain access to the interior of the flue for inspection or repair. By utilizing the conical shape the user cannot place dishes or other objectson top of the refrigerator cabinet C in such a way that the air passages through cover 20 will be closed. When it is necessary to have access to lter member I6 for inspection or replacement, it can be conveniently reached through the access opening I1, which also permitsaccess for manipulation of valve 4|.

In the course of the foregoing description no mention has been made of the materials comprising the Walls of cabinet C. Preferably such walls will be a suitable sheet metal permitting forming and assembly by mass production methods. Such metal may be surface coated in any suitable manner such as by paint, lacquer, enamel or other suitable compositions. Likewise, the composition of the insulating material 9 has not been specified, but since a variety of such materials are well known and have been used for this purpose, it will be apparent that any suitable composition may be so employed. The present design also might be utilized with other materials such as glass or plastic, having a dead air space between the inner and outer walls to provide the desired heat-insulating eifect.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 embodies for the most part the same features hereinbefore described and differs principally in the shelf assembly and arrangement. The cabinet C' of this form is identical in construction with cabinet C of Fig. 1, except for differences in dimension and variations in its base portion design.

Again in this form, the cabinet has inner and outer shelf portions 1' and 8' respectively, with the portion 8 bent at its top to form an inner plate or closure member l' and also bent at its bottom to provide an outer closure member which is shaped to provide a conical recessed area underneath the cabinet. The top of the cabinet is closed by an outer cover plate l2' to which is attached, preferably integrally therewith, an inner tube member 2l' of the flue-defining assembly. A detachable filter member Il' similar to that hereinbefore described is frictionally held at the bottom of the fiue F' in closing relation thereto, and a perforated conical cap piece 20' is frictionally held at the upper end of flue F".

Again in this form the inner cabinet wall 1 is formed by two contiguous sections 35' and 36 suitably shaped at intervals about the peripheral extent to provide a series of passages 31' functioning in the same manner as the coils of a refrigerating system. The passages 31' are of greater number in the portion of the interior comprising the frozen food compartment Y' than in the other compartment portion R'. The cabinet is supported on a suitable base member such as the member i6 illustrated in Fig. 5, which preferably has at its rear an access opening I1'.

The combination fan-motor-compressor-eondenser assembly is installed as a unit in flue F' and is identical in construction and operation with the corresponding unit of Fig. 1. Only the compressor 3l' and the condenser 32 of this unit have been shown in Fig. 5 as the duplication will be readily understood. Again in this form, a supply header ll' connects with the several passages 31' and a return line 38' collects the refrigerant for recycling through the compressor Il'.

'I'he essential difference between this type of cabinet and the one hereinbefore described resides in the arrangement of the partition members and associated shelves. In this form of the invention, each shelf 26' is mounted for independent rotation and to this end is supported on bearing members supported from the inner cabinet walls by brackets 1 I. Annular guideways 12 are mounted about the exterior wall of flue F' and preferably are felt lined to assist the rotation of the shelves. In order to provide sumcient stability it is preferred to make the shelves 26' in this form of the invention of sheet metal suitably apertured as shown at 14 in Fig. 6 to permit substantially unrestricted iiow of air through the shelves.

Two partitions 23' and 15 respectively, are

arranged to extend completely through the vertical extent of the interior to divide same into the frozen food compartment Y' and the cooling compartment R'. The partition 15 comprises a plurality of sections S, S'. S", S" and S"", but it may be any number depending upon the spacing arrangement of the shelves. As will be best understood by reference to Fig. 6, the guideway 12 throughout somewhat more than 180 is provided with a series of slots or grooves 16 in which the sections S, S', etc., may be selectively inf serted and held by a friction fit. A flexible wiping strip ll' is mounted along the outer edge of partition member 23' and also along the outermost fends of the respective sections S, S', etc., and thus completes the sealing effect of the respective partitions 2l' and 15.

In operation the refrigerant circulation is effected in the manner hereinbefore described, with aV thermostat control of the motor operation. When it is desired to insert objects or remove Vthem from any given shelf, the door 50' of the cabinet C' is opened and a selected shelf ZI' is manually rotated to any desired degree. In this action the given section S. S etc. supported from the selected shelf 26' is caused to rotate with the shelf and thus access to either of compartments Y or R' through the door opening is provided. After the object has been inserted or withdrawn the shelf is again manually moved to substantially aline the aforesaid section S, S' etc. with the other said sections.

Again with this arrangement it is possible to increase or -decrease the frozen food storage space as required and an even greater variation is permitted because of the provision for differential location of the different sections S, S etc. Thus if on the two lower shelves a considerable amount of frozen food capacity is required, the sections S'" and S" may be located substantially in the position of the full line representation of the partition 1l in section l, while the remaining sections S, S' and S" may be maintained at the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6 to provide additional space to the cooling compartment R'.

Again in this form of the invention the design permits utilization of a variety of materials forming the enclosing walls, exterior surfaces and shelves of the assembly. Similarly, other variations in the shelf mounting for individual actuation and in the partition adjustment will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art, and such variations are within contemplation of the present invention. Also, if desired, an automatic return of each shelf to its normal position of rest. preferably under spring actuation, may be provided if so desired.

The various forms of the invention provide storage space which, in effect, is hermetically sealed from the atmosphere. that is, there is n o appreciable flow'of gas' between the atmosphere and the interior except at such times as the door is opened to provide access to the interior. Similarly, the frozen food compartment is in eifect vhermetically sealed from the storage space, and

even when the shelves are rotated in the manner hereinbefore described. the flexible wall-engaging strips mounted on the partition members function as gaskets to prevent any appreciable interchange of gas between one compartment and the other.

Consequently, each zone functions for its intended purpose independently of the other, although the heat exchange action is produced by a system common to both compartments. The

feature of having a greater amount of heat exchange action in the frozen food compartment, preferably provided by having a substantially greater tube surface per unit of volume, insures a substantial temperature differential between the two compartments.

Even when the partition is adjusted to vary the volume of a given compartment, no appreciable change in the temperature differential results, for an increase in volume of the cooling compartment, for example, will be compensated for by having additional heat exchange surfaces distributed through the added space. For this reason, it is practical to use a single thermostat in which the bulb is located in only one compartment, preferably the cooling compartment, and yet maintains the desired temperature condition in each of the compartments.

While the various arrangements and combination of parts hereinbefore described comprise preferred construction, it will be apparent that certain of the features are of general application in the refrigeration art and do not have to be used with the particular construction arrangement shown in the drawings. For example, the unitary arrangement of fan, motor, compressor and condenser in a hollow tube or flue may be utilized advantageously in cabinets of square or rectangular section with no moving shelves, by locating such a unit at the back side of the cablnet or otherwise as preferred. The flue-type arrangement insures a good draft even Without mechanical aid as cool air will be drawn in at the bottom and hot vapors exhausted at the top. However, since a considerable amount of heat exchange action is required, it is preferred to mount a fan element on the motor shaft and rely on induced draft, particularly where an adequate filter element is used to cover the bottom intake opening.

The features of the shelf actuation and locking disclosed herein provide a simple and convenient manipulation. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements may be utilized to attain the same result, and also it should be understood that the features of the shelf construction are of general application to all refrigerating cabinets of the cylindrical type where the central flue element is omitted. Similarly, the unitary assembly of the shelf members and their suspension from the top of the cabinet are features of general application to cylindrical-type cabinets.

In the matter of the refrigerant circulation no attempts has been made to prescribe the composition to be used as refrigerant. While a change in com-position might involve some minor changes in the connections between the compressor and condenser, the use of such compositions is so old and Well known that detailed description of the changes appear unnecessary.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the various constructions shown and described herein provide simple, durable and efficient apparatus for attaining the enumerated objects of the invention. The forms of the invention illustrated and described herein are intended merely as typical embodiments in the -practice of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be availed of within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A refrigerator comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a side opening extending throughout substantially its upright extent to provide access to the storage within the hollow interior, a door closing said opening and normally maintaining the interior storage space of the body in air-sealed relation to the atmos-phere, a. tubular, flue-defining member extending through said body in sealed relation to said storage space, a unitary motor-compressorcondenser assembly held in said ilue, detachable closure members for each end of said flue, a plurality of heat conduction conduits arranged in series along the inner wall of said body in refrigerant-conduction relation to said assembly and extending into the upper and lower ends of said flues, valves in said extension portions of said conduits and detachable connections arranged in said extension portions adjacent said valves whereby to permit withdrawal of said unitary assembly for inspection or repair without escape of the refrigerant from said conduits.

2. A refrigerator comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a side opening extending throughout substantially its upright extent to provide access to the storage within the hollow interior, a door closing said opening and normally maintaining the interior storage space of the body in air-sealed relation to the atmosphere, a tubular, flue-defining member extending concentrically through said body in sealed relation to said storage space, a unitary motor-compressor-condenser assembly held in said flue, detachable closure members for each end of said flue, a plurality of heat conduction conduits arranged ln series along the inner wall of said body in refrigerant-conduction relation to said assembly and extending into the upper and lower ends of said ilues, valves in said extension portions of said conduits and detachable connections arranged in said extension portions y adjacent said valves whereby to permit withdrawal of said unitary assembly for inspection or repair without escape of the refrigerant from said conduits.

3. A refrigerator comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a side opening extending throughout substantially its upright extent to provide access to the storage within the hollow interior, a door closing said opening and normally maintaining the interior storage space of the body in air-sealed relation to the atmosphere, a tubular, flue-defining member extending through said body in sealed relation to said storage space, a unitary motor-compressorcondenser assembly held in said flue, detachable closure members for each end of said flue, a plurality of heat conduction conduits arranged in series along the inner wall of said body in refrigerant-conduction relation to said assembly and extending into the upper and lower ends of said iiues, valves in said extension portions of said conduits, detachable connections arranged in said extension portions adjacent said valves whereby to permit withdrawal of said unitary assembly for inspection or repair without escape of the refrigerant from said conduits, at least one rotary shelf unit in said storage space mounted for rotation about said flue from a rst inactive position to a second position approximately-180 therefrom, means including a counterbalance mechanism for returning said shelf from the second position to said inactive position, and means actuated by closing of said door for initiating said return movement.

4. The combination with a refrigerator havingan interior storage space for perishables, of adinstable partitioning means dividing said storage space into two compartments sealed one from the other, a heat-exchange system for maintaining the temperature in one said compartment above 32 F. and the temperature of the other said compartment below 32 F., said partitioning means being constructed and arranged in an upright plane to increase the volume of one said compartment and decrease the volume of the other said compartment with each adjustment in its position, and a flexible strip carried by said partitioning means in contact with the interior surface of the refrigerator so as to maintain said compartments against air interchange.

5. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, a substantially vertical partition dividing said space into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, a pluarlity of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series in each compartment, said conduits .being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat-exchange in the freezing compartment ,than in the cooling compartment, and mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action.

6. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, a substantially vertical partition dividing said space into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, plurality of heat-conductive conduits a1'- ranged in series in each compartment, the number of said conduits in the freezing compartment being in excess of the number thereof in the cooling compartment, and mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action.

7. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, an upright partition dividing said space into a freezing compartment of lesser volume and a cooling compartment of greater volume, a plurality of heatconductive conduits arranged in series in each compartment, said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heatexchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, and mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action.

8. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, an upright partition dividing said space into a freezing compartment of normally lesser volume and a cooling compartment of normally greater volume and mounted for angular movement to at least one other position changing the relative volume of said compartments, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series extending through each compartment, said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat exchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, irrespective of said volumetric changes, mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action, and a` single thermostat mechanism in one said compartment for maintaining the temperature differential between said compartments independently of said volumetric changes.

9. A refrigerator comprising a cylindrical, hollow body having a door-closed opening and having its interior space normally maintained in sealed relation to the atmosphere, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series along the inner wall of said body. a plurality of vertically-spaced circular shelves rotatably mounted in said interior space, upright partitioning means mounted for conjoint rotation with said shelves and dividing said interior space into a freezing compartment and a coolingcompartment sealed one from the other, said shelves and partitioning means having a range o'f rotary movement sumcient to bring either of said compartments in register with the door opening, and means in the body for circulating a refrigerant through said heat-conductive conduits.

10. A refrigerator comprising a cylindrical, hollow body having a door-closed opening and having its interior space normally maintained in sealed relation to the atmosphere, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series along the inner wall of said body, a unitary assembly mounted for rotation withinsaid interior space and comprising a plurality of vertically spaced shelves and two divergent upright partitioning members extending between said shelves and dividing the space into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment sealed one from the other, and means in the body for circulating a refrigerant through said heat-conductive conduits in a cyclic action.

ll. In a refrigerator of circular cross-section having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, a vertical partition dividing said space into a segmental freezing compartment and a segmental cooling compartment, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series in each compartment, said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat exchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action, and a thermostat control in operative connection with said mechanism and responsive to temperature variations in only one of said compartments.

12. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, an upright partition dividing said space into a. freezing compartment of normally lesser volume and a cooling compartment of normally greater volume and mounted for angular movement to at least one other position changing the relative volume of said compartments, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series extending through each compartment, said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat exchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, irrespective of said volumetric changes, mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic-action, and a thermostat control in operative connection with said mechanism and responsive to temperature variations in the cooling compartment.

13. In a refrigerator having interior walls defining a storage space, and heat-conductive conduits arranged in series for refrigerant circulation and supported by said walls, the improvement which comprises an open-ended flue extending vertically through the refrigerator and sealed from its storage space, a unitary motorcompressor-condenser assembly held within said flue in refrigerant-conductive relation to the series of conduits in said refrigerator, a coupling at each end of the flue for holding the assembly in conductive relation with said series, and two valves in the assembly for controlling circulation to and from the series, whereby said assembly may be withdrawn through the open end of the flue for service or repair.

14. In a refrigerator having interior walls dening a storage space, and heat-conductive conduits arranged in series for refrigerant circulation and supported by said walls, the improvement which comprises an open-ended flue extending vertically through the refrigerator sealed from its storage space, a unitary fanmotorcom presser-condenser assembly held within said flue in refrigerant-conductive relation to the series of conduits in said refrigerator, a valve in the line at each end of said assembly, and a detachable connection disposed between each said valve and the series conduits, whereby the assembly may be disconnected and withdrawn as a unit after the circulating refrigerant has been drawn into and held in said assembly.

15. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, means including a partitioning member dividing said space into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, a plurality of heat-conductive conduits arranged in series in each compartment,

said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat-exchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, and mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective' series in a cyclic action. at least a portion of said partitioning member being mounted for movement so as to change the relative volumetric capacities of said compartments.

16. In a refrigerator having an interior space for the storage of perishable articles, means including a partitioning member dividing said space into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment, a plurality oi' heat-conductive conduits arranged in series in each compartment, said conduits being constructed and arranged to provide a greater degree of heat-exchange in the freezing compartment than in the cooling compartment, and mechanism in the refrigerator for circulating a refrigerant through the respective series in a cyclic action, at least a portion of said partitioning member being mounted for movement from one position to a second position in which the relative volumetric capacities of said compartments are' changed without substantial change in the temperature differentials in said compartments.

RICHARD M. STORER.

WILLIAM A. MoGREW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of,record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,771,527 'Dennison July 29, 1930 2,051,271 Passmore Aug. 18, 1936 2,091,292 Scurlock Aug. 31, 1937 2,095,011 Philipp Oct. 5, 1937 2,133,951 Ashbaugh Oct. 25, 1938 2,171,712 Potter Sept. 5, 1939 2,228,144 Miller Jan. 7, 1941 2,257,374 Fritz Sept. 30, 1941 2,324,527 Morrison July 30, 1943 2,349,695 Beane May 23, 1944 2,371,917 Rosenberg Mar. 20, 1945 

